There’s No Turning Back the Clock on Climate

Activist John Umphress reflects on “baby steps” at COP28

As the world’s eyes turn to Dubai for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Austin-based Texas Impact/Texas Interfaith Power & Light is sending video dispatches from the conference to the Chronicle.


Many Americans at COP28 struggle with the U.S.’s lack of leadership as the global community traverses a critical decade of make-or-break decisions for the climate. John Umphress is a retired green building leader with Austin Energy and a longtime climate activist. Umphress, who is married to Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea, reflects on the “baby steps” taken so far to limit climate change, saying, “I think in the next two, three, four years, we’ll know if we’ve done enough. Hopefully we have, because if we haven’t, there’s really no turning back the clock.”

Follow Texas Impact/Texas Interfaith Power & Light’s continuing coverage from COP28.


About Texas Impact

Texas Impact exists to put faith into action. We equip faith leaders and their congregations with the information, opportunities, and outreach tools to educate their communities and engage with lawmakers on pressing public policy issues. We are an interfaith group that works together on issues that impact the most vulnerable people in our communities. We help people live out their faith in the public square, moving the faith community from charity to justice.

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